Soccer News of Sunday, 19 October 2003

Source: AP

Ghana To Play In Afro-Asian Games

.... As Cameroon pull out
Cameroon's soccer team, the only top African side scheduled to play in this week's Afro-Asian Games, has pulled out of the tournament, organizers said Sunday.

Ghana will take the place of Cameroon, which didn't give a reason for its withdrawal, said Alerto Colaco, secretary of the All India Football Federation.

Cameroon's withdrawal is a blow to soccer enthusiasts in this southern Indian city hosting the event, and comes after Nigeria and Senegal said they wouldn't participate. The Afro-Asian games has been beset by troubles since it was conceived of 10 years ago.

This year's tournament, which is to begin Tuesday with a soccer match between India and Rwanda, was delayed for two years, and organizers were unable until last week to give a complete list of participants.

Ghana Plays Malaysia In Afro-Asian Games Opener

Ghana plays Malaysia in Pool A on the opening day of the Afro-Asian Games in India. India takes on Rwanda on thge same day.

Iran and Uzbekistan would be the heavyweights in Pool B along with Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe as Cameroon pulled out of the tournament.

Following is list:
Pool A: India, Rwanda, Malaysia and Ghana.
Pool B: Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Iran and Uzbekistan.